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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's citrus industry slated for another rough year
Florida’s citrus industry got some bitter news Thursday as it enters the final months of the 2023-2024 growing season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report that reduced estimates of orange and grapefruit production. Overall, the new numbers indicated the industry will slightly outpace the 2022-2023 season, which was devastated by Hurricane Ian and had the lowest output in 93 years. More from the News Service of Florida and Fresh Plaza.
Melbourne-based defense giant L3Harris reducing its workforce in cost-cutting effort
Melbourne-based L3Harris Technologies is laying off workers in a cost-cutting move designed "to streamline our operations," the defense and aerospace company said in a statement. It is part of an initiative L3Harris announced last year that it calls LHX NeXT, which is aimed at saving more than $1 billion over the next three years. L3Harris — which is one of Brevard County's largest employers รข?• would not say how many workers are impacted by the staff cuts. More from Florida Today.
Tampa inflation going down, but still higher than national average
The most recent inflation data shows “not just a bump in the road,” as one local economist put it, but a “pattern that’s starting to become entrenched.” Costs rose about 3.7% in Tampa Bay over the last year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation in the region has been consistently higher than the national average, now at 3.5%. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Why a major Miami cruise company has canceled over a dozen international trips for 2025
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled at least 14 cruises on 7 ships in 2025 as a booming industry confronts global conflict and other issues. The cancellations include trips in May and September on Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest ship, and ones in April through June on Norwegian Sky, which frequently sails from PortMiami. Norwegian said customers who are affected will get a full refund and a 10% discount on future sailings through Dec. 31, 2025. More from the Miami Herald.
Stadium deals in Buffalo and Nashville show how Jacksonville agreement could be shaped
The dust won't settle until May at the earliest on stadium negotiations between the city of Jacksonville and the Jaguars, but recent agreements for the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans offer signposts for what a $1.4 billion stadium deal in Jacksonville might look like for taxpayers and fans. The deals for the Bills and Titans have provisions binding them to play at the stadiums for the entirety of their 30-year leases. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Business Beat - Week of April 12th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida Dining
This kitschy Vietnamese restaurant in Miami was just named to the Michelin Guide
A popular Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Miami, was just added to the internationally famous Michelin Guide. Known for its signature kitschy style, exceptionally eclectic wine list and hidden karaoke machine, the busy, energetic restaurant Tam Tam was announced as a 2024 Bib Gourmand. The designation highlights restaurants that offer good food at moderate prices.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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